Easy wake device

ABSTRACT

A device that monitors a user&#39;s sleep cycles and operates to sound an alarm to awaken the user at an optimal point within a sleep cycle. Once an alarm time is set and the alarm is activated, the device begins to monitor a wearer&#39;s sleep cycles by identifying the points in time at which the wearer moves his or her body limbs. As the alarm time is approached, the device can trigger the alarm earlier if the wearer is at an optimal point in the sleep cycle or, even retard the triggering of the alarm if the optimal point in the sleep cycle is expected to occur shortly. The device can be used to assist children in waking up to prevent bed wetting, or in a patient for obtaining light therapy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of United States Applicationfor patent filed on Jan. 10, 2005 and assigned Ser. No. 11/032,404,which application claims the benefit of the filing date of United StatesProvisional Application for Patent filed on Jan. 9, 2004, having a titleof EASY WAKE WRIST WATCH and having been assigned Ser. No. 60/535,247.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards an apparatus and method fordetermining the optimal moments to awaken a user during the sleep cycleand, more specifically, it relates to an apparatus and method thatdetects motion of a sleeping user to determine the user's sleep cycleand may alter the triggering of an alarm condition based on thedetection of the motion.

The human body is an amazingly complex electrical, chemical andphysiological machine. In a world where technologists are all seeking“wireless” solutions, the human body has been operating in that modesince its earliest inception. Utilizing fuel ranging from BIG MACS withfries to pot roasts to SNICKERS bars, the human body is able to generateits own source of energy. Another extremely important requirement of thehuman body is down time. Although the amount of down time necessary forthe human body can vary from person to person, everyone needs andrequires some amount of down time, otherwise known as sleep.

Many studies have been performed around the concept of “sleep”. Fromthese studies it is well known that a period of sleep consists ofseveral sleep cycles. Each sleep cycle spans a period of time thatstarts with a light or shallow state of unconsciousness, progresses to adeep state of unconsciousness, and then returns to the shallow state. Itis also well known through empirical evidence that the human body ismuch more adept to recovering from a period of sleep when the individualis aroused out of the unconscious sleep state while in the shallowstate. Being aroused from a deep state not only requires a longerrecovery time, but can also adversely affect the individual's alertnessand energy state throughout the day. Thus, there is a need in the artfor a technique to arouse an individual from his or her sleep when theindividual is within a shallow state of sleep.

Furthermore, there are certain reasons that may arise that requirewaking of a user during the middle of the night. For instance, it isoften necessary for a patient to take medicine dosages during the night.Other situations also arise in which a subject needs to be arousedduring the night. Having the ability to awaken such individuals at apoint in time in which they will be most easily aroused would bebeneficial. Thus, there is a need in the art for a mechanism to awakenpeople at certain times based on sleep cycle data for the individual.

It is also well known that when an individual is residing in a shallowstate of sleep, there is a higher tendency for the individual to moveparts of their body, such as their arms or legs. Thus, there is a needin the art for a technique to determine when an individual is in ashallow state of sleep and attempt to arouse the individual during thisperiod of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines a wrist watch and an accelerometer, orother motion detection device, into a single closed loop device forpersonal operation. The present invention operates to distinguishbetween the deep and shallow sleep cycles of an individual based on theindividual's movements. During a shallow sleep cycle, individuals willhave a tendency to move their limbs. The accelerometer detects suchmovements and identifies the user as being in a shallow sleep cycle. Theuser can set the wrist watch for a particular alarm time. If a shallowsleep cycle is detected during a particular window surrounding the setalarm time, the alarm may either be sounded early, or retarded to allowthe user to be awakened at an optimal time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional components of anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating on technique of implementingthe hardware aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards a wrist watch type apparatusthat includes an alarm mechanism. The alarm can be set to go off (a) ata particular time (“the programmed alarm”), (b) after a particularnumber of sleep cycles, or (c) a combination of the two.

When the device is set to go off at a particular time, the actualtriggering of the alarm will depend upon motion detected by a motiondetection apparatus. The operation of the invention is based on acorrelation between body movement and a shallow portion of a person'ssleep cycle. Thus, in a window of time around the programmed alarm, thepresent invention monitors the activity of the motion detector. Ifmotion is detected within a certain period of time prior to theprogrammed alarm time, the alarm will trigger at an earlier time. Ifmotion is not detected by the programmed alarm time, the triggering ofthe alarm will be delayed until either motion is detected or a thresholddelay is reached.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the motion detectionmechanism is an accelerometer. However, other methods of motiondetection can also be used such as motion sensors embedded within amattress or covering, optical movement detection devices, or the like.In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the device is in the form of awrist watch; however, other embodiments may also be utilized such as,but not limited to, a finger device, ankle device, leg device, a headband, and arm device.

Example of operation. As an example, the user sets the watch for a7:00am wake up time and a 6:40am window. The window could be any of avariety of setting such as +/−10 minutes, +/−20 minutes, +10 minutes −20minutes, −15 minutes, or the like. In the present example, if betweenthe times of 6:40-7:00am the watch senses a particular type of movement,the alarm will be triggered early and the user will be awakened withalmost no effort. The user will awake refreshed and feeling like theywere hardly asleep. If in that 20-minute window the movement criteriaare not met, the alarm will default to the 7:00am alarm and wake theuser like a normal alarm clock.

In one embodiment of the invention, motion is only detected in aparticular plane. However, it should be understood that all planes ofmovement could be detected in three dimensional planes.

The present invention may also employ the use of hysterisis. Forinstance, a particular amount of movement may be required to trigger anearly alarm. If some movement is detected, the device may enter a “lookfor more movement” mode of operation. If a particular amount of movementis detected in this mode, then the alarm may be triggered. However, ifno additional movement is detected for a particular period of time, thedevice may exit the “look for more movement” mode of operation andrevert back to the normal mode in which any movement is monitored.

The present invention may also be used to track sleep cycles during thenight and obtain and average time for a user's sleep cycles. Using thisinformation, the present invention may be able to detect anomalies inthe person's sleep cycle. In addition, the device can utilize the sleepcycle information to conduct predictive analysis of when the users nextshallow sleep cycle will occur.

The device may also include a snooze capability, similar to standardalarm devices that allow a user to delay the alarm for a fixed period oftime. In addition, the device can include a snooze capability thatrequest the alarm to be delayed for an incremental number of sleepcycles. Using this aspect of the present invention, a user can set thedevice to alarm after a particular number of sleep cycles. Thus, theuser can take a short nap of just one sleep cycle, or a longer number ofsleep cycles.

The present invention can also operate to distinguish between movementoccurring while the user is attempting to go to sleep and movementoccurring as a part of a sleep cycle. For instance, if the user selectsa particular number of sleep cycles before the alarm will sound, thedevice can require a threshold amount of time to occur in which nomovement is detected prior to beginning the sleep cycle count.Advantageously, this aspect of the present invention allows a user toset the device for his or her optimal number of sleep cycles and, thedevice will wait until the sleep cycle process begins before counting,and then sound an alarm during the shallow sleep cycle of the desiredsleep cycle.

As another example, a user may not have any particular time in mind thathe or she wants to be awakened but knows that he or she functions betterif he or she has slept for 6 sleep cycles. Thus, the user sets thedevice for 6 sleep cycles and retires for the night. Once the devicedetermines that the user has entered into sleep cycles, it begins tocount the sleep cycles. After 6 sleep cycles, the device will detectmotion during the shallow portion of the cycle and then sound an alarm.As previously describe, the device can keep a running average of theuser's sleep cycles. Thus, if for some reason a user goes through ashallow sleep cycle without any movement, the device can applyheuristics to determine such a condition. For example, if a person'ssleep cycle typically lasts for 45 minutes and the device does notdetect motion for 90 minutes, the device can determine that one shallowsleep state had been missed and adjust the sleep cycle countaccordingly. In addition, if the device does not detect movement at theend of the selected number of sleep cycles, the device can conclude thatthe end of the sleep cycle has been reached and after a threshold periodof time, trigger the alarm. For example, if the user programs the devicefor 6 sleep cycles and the device has determined the user's typicalsleep cycle is 45 minutes, then after a particular number of minutes(i.e., 20 minutes) after the 6th sleep cycle was to be completed, thedevice may trigger the alarm.

The device may utilize a variety of alarm mechanisms and the presentinvention is not limited to any particular mechanism. Some exemplarymechanisms include an audible alarm, a vibrator or a blinking light. Inaddition, a wireless transmitter can be included in the device. Thewireless transmitter can be used to trigger other alarm mechanisms thatare equipped with a wireless receiver. For instance, user may wish to beawakened by a radio or a television. If the radio or television isequipped with an appropriate wireless receiver, when the device triggersthe alarm, a turn on signal will be sent to the wireless receiver. Atypical wireless transmitter and receiver solution could includeBlueTooth technology or I.E.E.E. 802.11.

Another aspect of the present invention is that it is self-contained ina single unit that can be worn on the body. It is not necessary to havewires extending from the body to another device that performs any of thefunctions such as monitoring or calculating sleep cycles.

In other embodiments, the technology of the present invention can beincorporated into other objects that can also detect movement of theuser. For instance, in one embodiment, the invention can be incorporatedinto a sleeping mattress or a pad that is placed over the top of amattress. In this embodiment, accelerometers or pressure detectiondevices could be used. In another embodiment, the invention can beincorporated in a blanket or comforter under which the user sleeps. Yetin another embodiment, the invention can be incorporated into the user'ssleepwear, such as pajamas or a night gown.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the functional components of anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 could beembodied within a wrist watch or some similar apparatus that can be wornon the body. The device 100 includes a processor 110 that is poweredthrough a battery 150. The processor 110 interfaces to a motion detector120, a user interface 130 and an alarm 140. As previously described, themotion detector can be an accelerometer or other motion sensing deviceembedded into the device 100, or may be an external device that iswireless coupled to the processor 110. The user interface can include avariety of mechanism but, in general, includes a mechanism for a user toprovide input to the processor and for the processor to display status,prompts and results to the user. In a wrist watch embodiment, the userinterface may include a series of buttons and an LCD, LED orelectroluminescence display. However, it should be appreciated that thepresent invention is not limited to any particular user interfacemechanisms and other technologies can be employed without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Such technologies can includevoice activations, touch sensitive screens, text to audio conversionsand speakers, etc.

The processor 110 includes volatile memory 114 and non-volatile memory112. The volatile memory 114 may include RAM, EEPROM, bubble memory orother similar technologies and the non-volatile memory may include ROM,EPROM, PROM, Gate Arrays or other similar technologies. The non-volatilememory houses a program including instructions that are executed by theprocessor. Such instructions provide the intelligence for the processorin responding to inputs from the motion detector 120, the user interface130 and for controlling the outputs to the user interface 130 and thealarm 140. The volatile memory 114 is used for storing configurationparameters such as the current time, alarm settings, modes of operationor the like.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The illustrated process 200 beginsby conducting an initial programming 205 of the device 100. The initialprogramming, among other things, may include a user entering the presentlocal time and date as well as any user configurable parameters such asalarm notifications, text configurations or the like. The user can thenprogram the device 100 with alarm settings 210. As previously described,the alarm settings can include identifying a preferred time to beawakened, a window or threshold period of time, a number of desiredsleep cycles or the like. The user can also program the device with modesettings 215. As previously described, the mode settings can includesetting the device to wake the user after a predetermined number ofsleep cycles, threshold times, or the like. In some embodiments, thealarm settings and the mode settings can be accomplished simultaneously.Once the device 100 is programmed, the device enters into monitoringmode. The monitoring mode 220 can be automatically triggered inaccordance with the alarm and mode settings or can be manually triggeredby the user when the user retires.

In the monitoring mode, if the processor detects that the user is in ashallow state of sleep 225, such as by receiving an input from themotion detector, the processor checks the alarm and mode settings 230 todetermine if the alarm should be sounded. Otherwise, the monitoring modeis continued. If the alarm and mode settings are satisfied 235 (i.e.,shallow sleep cycle is detected within the threshold time of the alarmsetting or a specified number of sleep cycles is reached), then an alarmis triggered 240. Otherwise, the monitoring mode continues.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating on technique of implementingthe hardware aspect of the present invention. This circuit diagram isprovided for informational purposes only and the particular componentsillustrated and the particular circuitry used in no way limits thepresent invention. In this example, the MSP430F435IPN device is used toprovide the processor and memory elements of the device.

One embodiment of the present invention is used to help children avoidwetting the bed and to help them learn and create habits to avoid suchissues. This embodiment of the invention operates similar to theabove-described embodiments except that it utilizes three independentalarms rather than just one. One of the issues that give rise to wettingthe bed is that a child's bladder may become full during the deep sleepportion of a sleep cycle. In this state, the child is more prone to bein a relaxed state, and as a result, their bodies and or bladders justrelease the pressure. By getting up a few times in the night, thepressure can be released before it builds up to a full bladder.Advantageously, the child can develop good sleep habits by using thisdevice and even build up the confidence to go dry all night.

Each of the three alarms in this embodiment of the invention includesits own independent window. This embodiment of the invention enables aparent to set the watch to go off up to three times during the night.The device monitors sleep cycles and then attempts to awaken the childwhen he or she has entered into a light stage of sleep. Thus, in thisstate, the alarm sounds to awaken the child so that they can get upeasily and go to the rest room. The alarm can be audible, as well as avibration of the child's mattress, turning on of lighting, etc.Advantageously, the child is awakened at a light sleep time and thus, isable to better comprehend what is going on and safely proceed to thebathroom.

As an example, suppose a child is put to bed at 9:00PM. The alarms ofthe device are programmed as follows:

Alarm 1: 12:00AM;

Alarm 2: 3:00AM; and

Alarm 3: 6:00AM.

Furthermore, the respective windows for each alarm are set to be 60minutes. Thus, for Alarm 1, anytime between 11:00PM and 12:00AM, if alight stage of sleep is identified, the unit would alarm to wake thechild up to use the bathroom.

Window 1: 60 minutes (anytime between 11PM and 12AM if a light stage ofsleep was recorded, the unit would go off and the child could get up touse the bathroom)

This embodiment of the present invention allows three or few alarms tobe set. Thus, the parent switch from three alarms a night to only twoalarms, to one alarm then to no alarms, as they gradually wean the childto sleep though the night. Thus, of the three alarms, the device can beset to where all three alarms or active or, just a subset of the alarmsare active.

Another embodiment of the present invention is used to wake up patientsto take medicine dosages. Obviously, it could be critical if a patienttakes the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage. Thus, the presentinvention advantageously can operate to awaken the patient at a shallowsleep time, thus awakening them is a more alert and clear thinkingstate. As a result, the chances of taking wrong medicine or wrongdosages can be reduced in many circumstances.

Another embodiment of the present invention operates in cooperation withthe delivery of light therapy for a patient. A light sensor can beincorporated into the various embodiments of the invention to record theamount of light that a patient is exposed to during the day. The devicecan be programmed to require a certain amount of light exposure duringany periodic window, such as everyday or weekly, etc. Thus, the devicemay include a user programmable variable for a required light amount. Inaddition, the period of time may default to a particular period, such asa 24 hour period or the user may be able to program a desired period orselect from a plurality of preprogrammed period. If the device sensesthat a user is sleeping but the required amount of light exposure hasnot been satisfied, UV lamps or other lamps can be illuminated by thedevice while the patient sleeps. For instance, the patient's room mayinclude a bank of lights that can be controlled by a wireless signal,such as a Bluetooth signal or other RF or infrared signal that istransmitted by the device. Thus, the device can turn on the light sourceand then turn off the light source, or turn on the light source for agiven period of time.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions ofembodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodimentscomprise different features, not all of which are required in allembodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present inventionutilize only some of the features or possible combinations of thefeatures. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that aredescribed and embodiments of the present invention comprising differentcombinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occurto persons of the art.

1. An alarm system, the alarm system comprising: a single housing thatcontains an accelerometer and that can be mounted to a body part, a userinterface, a display for rendering the user interface and a processingunit; the accelerometer operating to detect motion on at least oneplane; a user interface enabling a user to program various alarmparameters and settings for the portable alarm system; a processingunit, the processing unit being communicatively coupled to theaccelerometer and the user interface, and in response to inputs from theaccelerometer and the user interface, in cooperation with programminginstructions, is operative to: receive a user selected alarm setting viathe user interface, the alarm setting including an alarm time and athreshold value for up to at least three alarms; monitor theaccelerometer for data indicating a positive movement; analyzing theaccelerometer data to establish the timing of sleep cycles and toidentify shallow sleep periods of the sleep cycles; applying heuristicsto estimate the conclusion of a sleep cycle based on sleep cycle datafor the user by: identifying a typical sleep cycle for the user; if asleep cycle that is substantially longer than the typical sleep cyclefor a user is detected, compare the duration of the long sleep cycle tothe typical sleep cycle; if the long sleep cycle is approximately amultiple of the typical sleep cycle, concluding that the detection ofone or more sleep cycles was missed; and incrementing the sleep cyclecount in accordance with the estimated number of missed sleep cycles;and and triggering an alarm condition when a shallow sleep period of asleep cycle occurs within a threshold of one of the alarm times.
 2. Thealarm system of claim 1, wherein the accelerometer detects motion in twoplanes.
 3. A alarm system that can be worn on a user's limb similar to awrist watch, the portable alarm system comprising: a motion detectorincluding an accelerometer; a user interface; and a processing unit, theprocessing unit being communicatively coupled to the motion detector andthe user interface, and in response to inputs from the motion detectorand the user interface, in cooperation with programming instructions, isoperative to: receive an alarm time setting for up to three alarms witheach setting including an alarm time and a threshold value; monitor themotion detector for positive movement data indication of the user'slimb; if the positive movement data indication occurs within a thresholdperiod of time prior to the alarm time, trigger an alarm condition; andif no positive movement is detected within a threshold after the alarmtime, applying heuristics based on previously received positive movementdata to estimate the conclusion of a sleep cycle.
 4. A portable alarmsystem comprising: a single housing that contains a user interface, adisplay for rendering the user interface and a processing unit; anaccelerometer operating to detect motion on at least one plane andproviding information regarding such detections to the processing unit;a user interface enabling a user to program various alarm parameters andsettings for the portable alarm system; and the processing unit, theprocessing unit being communicatively coupled to the accelerometer andthe user interface, and in response to inputs from the accelerometer andthe user interface, in cooperation with programming instructions, isoperative to: receive user selected alarm settings via the userinterface, the alarm setting including a sleep cycle count value for upto at least three alarms; monitor the accelerometer for data indicatinga positive movement; analyzing the accelerometer data to establish thetiming of sleep cycles and to identify shallow sleep periods of thesleep cycles; identifying a typical sleep cycle for the user; incrementa sleep cycle counter for each detected sleep cycle; if a sleep cycle isdetected that is substantially longer than the typical sleep cycle for auser, compare the duration of the long sleep cycle to the typical sleepcycle; if the long sleep cycle is approximately a multiple of thetypical sleep cycle, concluding that the detection of one or more sleepcycles was missed; incrementing a sleep cycle counter in accordance withthe estimated number of missed sleep cycles; and when the sleep cyclecounter reaches one of the sleep cycle count values, triggering analarm.
 5. The portable alarm system of claim 4, wherein theaccelerometer is incorporated into the single housing.
 6. The portablealarm system of claim 4, wherein the accelerometer is incorporated intoa mattress.
 7. The portable alarm system of claim 6, further comprisingpressure detection devices.
 8. The portable alarm system of claim 4,further comprising a BlueTooth technology interface to transmit an alarmsignal to turn on a remote device to sound an alarm.
 9. The portablealarm system of claim 4, further comprising a light sensor operable torecord the amount of light the device has been exposed to during aselected period, and a transmitter, and further comprising a programmedrequired light amount, wherein if the device detects that that user isin a sleeping state but the programmed required light amount has notbeen reached, transmitting a signal using the transmitter, the signalbeing operative to turn on an external light source.
 10. The portablealarm system of claim 9, wherein the device is further operative totransmit a signal to turn off the external light source.
 11. A portableapparatus in a single housing that can be worn on a user's limb, theportable apparatus comprising: an accelerometer for detecting motion inat least one plane a user interface including a display for renderingthe user interface and an input interface enabling a user to program upto at least three alarm settings with each setting including alarmtriggering parameters; and a processing unit communicatively coupled tothe accelerometer and the user interface, and being operative to:monitor the accelerometer for signals indicating a positive movement;analyzing the accelerometer data to establish the timing of sleep cyclesand to identify shallow sleep periods of the sleep cycles; applyingheuristics to estimate the conclusion of a sleep cycle based on sleepcycle data for the user by: identifying a typical sleep cycle for theuser; if a sleep cycle that is substantially longer than the typicalsleep cycle for a user is detected, compare the duration of the longsleep cycle to the typical sleep cycle; and if the long sleep cycle isapproximately a multiple of the typical sleep cycle, concluding that thedetection of one or more sleep cycles was missed; and triggering analarm condition in accordance with the alarm triggering parametersproximate to a shallow sleep period of a sleep cycle.
 12. The portableapparatus of claim 11, wherein the alarm triggering parameters includesan alarm time and an associated threshold, and triggering an alarmcondition in accordance with the alarm triggering parameters includestriggering an alarm condition when a shallow sleep cycle is within thethreshold of the alarm time.
 13. The portable apparatus of claim 11,wherein the alarm triggering parameters includes a sleep cycle count,and concluding that the detection of one or more sleep cycles was missedincludes incrementing a sleep cycle count accordingly and triggering analarm condition in accordance with the alarm triggering parametersincludes triggering an alarm condition at a shallow sleep cycle thatoccurs commensurate with the sleep cycle count.
 14. The portableapparatus of claim 11, further comprising a light sensor operable torecord the amount of light the device has been exposed to during aselected period, and a transmitter, and further comprising a programmedrequired light amount, wherein if the device detects that that user isin a sleeping state but the programmed required light amount has notbeen reached, transmitting a signal using the transmitter, the signalbeing operative to turn on an external light source.